Two Saudi men have embarked on an epic cross-country walk to show their admiration for the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Their journey also reflects the Bedouin traditions that were so close to the late President's heart.
Ayed Al Eneze and his cousin Mohammad Al Eneze have already started walking from a remote part of Al Ahsa district in Saudi Arabia's eastern deserts.
Their journey of more than 350km along the Gulf coast will eventually bring them to the grave of Shaikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi, where they wish to pay homage to a man they describe as "a great man among Arabs," whose death was "a loss to the world."
They started their journey from the last roundabout in the Al Ahsa district of Saudi Arabia and the total distance translates into more than 10km for every year that Shaikh Zayed led the UAE.
"I have a great love and respect for Shaikh Zayed. He was a great leader, and a father not only for his people, but for all Arabs and Muslims," said Ayed, a 35-year-old practitioner of alternative medicine, who has named his baby son Zayed.
His cousin Mohammad, a 30-year-old trader, said: "This is a small feat considering the appreciation we both have for Shaikh Zayed. His death is a great loss for Muslims and the world."
They have been walking since Tuesday evening, shortly after their iftar. When Gulf News caught up with them, they were about 100km from the Saudi-Qatar border.
They expect to reach Abu Dhabi on Monday, possibly be the second day of Eid Al Fitr. Despite the difficulties of walking long distances, the pair do not like to make life easy for themselves. In fact, they prefer walking on sand, rather than paved roads and have restricted themselves to a traditional diet of camel's milk and dates, rather than high-tech, energy-filled foods.
It is all designed to recreate the rigours of the Bedouin lifestyle that Shaikh Zayed regarded as a key part of his country's heritage. Shaikh Zayed even took regular trips on camels into the deserts of the UAE and Saudi Arabia and was keen on such Bedouin pursuits as falconry.
"We are carrying mainly camel's milk and dates, besides a few other types of food. They are actually very good sources of energy and are very tasty. We walk the whole night and morning, and rest in the afternoon in a small tent. Then, we continue after sunset. This would be the typical life of a Bedouin," said Ayed, who has long been a keen walker. He previously walked from Kuwait to Riyadh.
"I am familiar with all the routes and have walked between various locations in the Gulf region. It is a great hobby." Ayed has visited the UAE many times by car, and that is why he is familiar with the routes.
Mohammad said: "I want to visit the grave of Shaikh Zayed. This is the main reason why I have joined my cousin Ayed in this journey. It is true that I love travelling on foot, but the main reason behind this journey is my love and admiration for Shaikh Zayed."
Gulf News
